Telautograph apparatus.



No. 8331139. PATENTBD DEC. 11, 1906.

P. RITCHIE.

' TELAUTOGRAPH APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAE.12, 1904.

I 1 E A m I EW EL un: NORRIS PETERS co, WASHINGTON, n. c.

FOSTER RITCHIE, OF ACTON HILL, LONDON. ENGLAND.

TELAUTOGRAPH APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed March 12, 1904:. Serial No. 197,756-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fosrnn RITCHIE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at 36 King Edward Gardens, Acton Hill, London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telautograph Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, (for which I have applied for a patent in Great Britain, dated January 8, 1904;, No. 550,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to telautograph apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide means which are simple and efficient for controlling the movements of the pen-lifting mechanism in apparatusof this class.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accom-' panying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing is a view in diagram, showing an arrangement of telautograph apparatus embodying the principles of my invention.

In United States Patent N 0. 656,828 is described a telautograph apparatus in which the receiving-pen is brought into contact with the paper by means of apparatus or devices operated through a vibratory current transmitted from the sending-station, the vibrations of the current beingproduced by varying the strength of the writing-current, as disclosed insaid patent. In said patent is de scribed means including a relay actuated by vibratory current transmitted to the receiving station for controlling the pen lifting mechanism.

It is the special purpose of the present invention to effect the operation of the penlifting mechanism at the receiving-station without the use of a relay, and wherein the actuation of the pen-lifting mechanism is quickly and readily responsive to the vibrations of the current transmitted and wherein the frictional resistance to the movement of the receiving-pen along the writing-surface is diminished and reduced to a minimum.

In accordance with the principles of my present invention I propose to provide means for varying the resistance of the circuit of the lifting mechanism at the receivingstation in such manner as to efficiently control the attractive force exerted by the magnets of the pen-lifting mechanism so as to cause the same to operate upon the pen to bring the latter into contact with the writingsurface or to raise the same therefrom in ready response to and in accord with the vibrations sent to the circuit of the receiving apparatus from the transmittingstation. This idea may be accomplished in many specifically different ways. WVhile, therefore, I have shown. and will now describe one way to accomplish the desired object, I do notdesire to be limited or restricted thereto. In the form shown I employ a shunt around the leads or terminals of the pen-lifting magnet-coils at the receiving-station, in which shunt-circuit I place a resistance-varying device so arranged that normally, or when the device is not in operation, practically no resistance is interposed in said shunt-circuit around the pen-lifting magnets, thereby enabling or allowing the receivingpen to be moved by the pen-lifting mechanism out of contact with the writing-surface. When, however, a vibratory current is received from the distant transmitting-station, the resistance of the shunt-circuit is so increased that the attraction of the pen-lifting magnet exerted upon its armature is sufficient to cause the pen to be brought into contact with the writing-surface. In carrying out my invention and as one form of embodiment of the principles thereof, but to which my invention is not to be limited or restricted, I employ a microphonic contact in the shunt-circuit around the coils of the pen-lifting magnet at the receiving-station.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, 1 designates the leads of the pen-lifting apparatus 6, the pen-lifting magnets. Across the leads 1 of the pen-lifting apparatus I connect in accordance with the principles of my invention a shunt-circuit which includes the resistance-varying device. The particular form of resistance-varying device employed and included in this shunt-circuit, but to which my invention is not limited or restricted, comprises an electrically-conducting pencil 2, supported between two conducting-contacts 3 3 which are adjustably mounted on an insulating-block 4. This insulatingblock may be supported in any suitable or convenient manneras, for instance, it may be fixed on an extension of the pen-arm shaft by means of a set-screw 5 or otherwise-end the contacts 3 3 are included in series with each other and in the shunt-circuit referred to across the terminals of the energizing-coils of the pen-lifting magnet 6.

When the pencil 2 is at rest, or practically so, the resistance of the circuit in shunt across the coils of magnet 6 is practically nothing, so that said magnet 6 becomes deenergized and allows the receiving-pen to be moved out of contact with the writing-surface. When, however, a vibratory current is received from the distant or transmitting station, the resistance of the shunt-circuit is so increased that the attraction of magnet 6 on its armature is sufficient to cause the pen to be brought into contact with the writingsurface. Moreover, the mechanical vibra tions communicated to the pen as a result of the vibratory current in the receiving-circuit diminishes the frictional resistance to the inovement of the pen along'the writing-surace.

I do not desire to be limited in respect to the location of the resistance-varying device. That shown, however, I have found in practice to be efficient and to accomplish the de sired objects. It is also obvious that the specific details of construction and arrangement of the resistance-varying device or microphonic contact are immaterial, as the same may be varied throughout a wide range and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

It is obvious that the vibratory currents employed to produce the mechanical vibrations in the receiving mechanism and through which the movements of the pen-lifter are controlled may be generated or produced in any suitable or convenient manner, andI do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted in this respect.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a telautograph apparatus, pen-lifting mechanism, a circuit therefor, and a resistance-varying device arranged in shunt to said circuit, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a telautograph apparatus, pen-lifting mechanism, including a magnet, a circuit therefor, and a microphonic contact arranged in shunt to said circuit.

3. In a telautograph apparatus, a pen-lifting mechanism, including a magnet, a circuit therefor and adapted to receive a vibratory current, in combination with a resistancevarying device arranged to be influenced by said vibratory current to control the current through the circuit of said pen-lifting mechanism.

4; In a telautograph apparatus, a pen-lifting mechanism, a circuit therefor, and a microphonic contact arranged in shunt across the leads of said circuit, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FOSTER RITCHIE.

Witnesses WALTER J. SKERTEN, GEO. J. B. FRANKLIN. 

